Special Service and Features
2nd G20 Development Working Group Meeting under Indian Presidency Kumarakom, Kerala
The formal segment of the 2nd Meeting of G20 Development Working Group  began today at the KTDC Convention Centre in the village of Kumarakom, Kerala. Over 80 delegates from G20 Members, 9 invitee countries, and various international and regional organizations participated in the meeting being held from 06-09 April 2023 and co-chaired by India’s DWG Co-Chairs – Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretaries Mr. Nagaraj K. Naidu and Ms. Eenam Gambhir. The DWG meeting was preceded by a side event with sessions on data for development, lifestyle for environment, and green transitions that are globally just, which were held on 6th April 2023.
2. The formal proceedings were inaugurated by Secretary  of the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Dammu Ravi. While welcoming the delegates to the DWG meeting, Shri Ravi mentioned that India has made efforts to bring the developmental agenda to the centerstage, as the cascading multiple crises have set back the progress on development, deepening inequalities and accentuating environmental and climate risks, and have disproportionately affected the developing countries. He mentioned that DWG, as the key track in G20 responsible for development issues, should try to find solutions and suggest G20 collective actions to address the diverse global development challenges. He urged the DWG to work towards consensus documents that would help accelerate progress towards SDGs and also feed into the Leaders’ Declaration.
3. Detailed discussions on the main priority areas identified by the DWG Presidency were held. The first session focused on Transformative Transitions through Data for Development. Presentations were made by experts from the International Telecommunication Union , United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  and the UN Office of Special Envoy on Technology . Delegates highlighted the importance of digital technologies for the 2030 Agenda and the need for digital transformations for social development through bridging the digital divide.
4. The second session focused on ‘Transformative Transitions ’, wherein the role that women can play as active members of society and as decision-makers in accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and creating an inclusive and sustainable world was highlighted. The delegates emphasized the need for women’s empowerment and placing women’s leadership at the center for development, which could be facilitated through enablers in the areas of economic empowerment, bridging gender digital divide, climate change, and nutrition.
5. In the third session for the day the delegates discussed the Just Green Transitions. Experts from the International Labour Organisation , United Nations Industrial Development Organization  and Mr Avinash Persaud, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados made a presentation on the possible role G20 can play in facilitating financing towards just green transitions across the world. The delegates highlighted the need to balance green transitions with social and development dimensions, as the world moves towards a low-carbon future through a transition pathway that is impacting the development agenda. They stressed on the important responsibility of G20 countries in creating an international enabling environment for smoother and swifter transitions. Delegates also discussed the need for adaptive, proactive, and responsive actions on the various means of implementation - institutional capacity building, technology transfer, financing, and investment in this regard, as well as the collective G20 efforts needed for promoting green transitions that are globally just.
6. The day concluded with a cultural evening and gala dinner, wherein senior functionaries from the Government of Kerala, senior dignitaries from the Government of India, and the G20 DWG delegates witnessed traditional performances and dance forms that provided them a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.
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